Monday the 22nd of May marks the fourth anniversary of the death of 25-year-old Fusilier Lee Rigby who was brutally murdered by two Islamists near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, south-east London. Tributes to Lee included a parade and a memorial motorcycle ride by the Rigby Guardians.
On the 22nd of May 2013, Drummer Lee Rigby was attacked and killed by Islamists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale ran over him with a car before attacking him with knives and a cleaver, attempting to behead him.
Immediately following the attack, one of the terrorists, who was filmed by a witness, addressed the camera saying: “We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you. The only reasons we have done this is because Muslims are dying every day. This British soldier is an eye for an eye, a tooth for tooth.”
Both Adebolajo and Adebowale were apprehended, tried, and received life sentences.
Lee was a drummer and machine-gunner in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Originating from Middleton, Greater Manchester, he had served in Cyprus, Germany, and Afghanistan before becoming a recruiter and assisting with duties in the Tower of London. He was engaged to be married and was a father to a son now aged six.
On Sunday, a group of bikers, the Rigby Guardians, travelled from across the country and rode from Rochdale Town Hall through Heywood and Middleton – a ride they take each year in memory of the young soldier.
The Rigby Guardians then joined the Manchester Pipe Band who led a parade to Middleton Memorial Garden, where they were joined by Lee’s family and the community for a service in his memory, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Lee’s mother Lyn Rigby said the family will soon launch the Lee Rigby Lodge – a house for bereaved families of servicemen and women.
She said: “The service in Middleton and support from the Armed Forces and wider community provides strength to our family as we remember Lee and what an amazing person he was. We miss him every day and for those who have lost loved ones you will understand that anniversaries are particularly hard to deal with.
“This year is particularly poignant as we deliver the Lee Rigby Lodge a house for bereaved families, a positive legacy for Lee. This will be a place to get away from it all and to support our Armed Forces Families at their time of most need.”
The house in Staffordshire will provide a place of quiet for those who have lost a loved one whilst they were serving their country.
Breitbart London reported that Lee’s memorial had been vandalised just days before the anniversary of his death.
Lee’s parents Ian and Lyn Rigby established the Lee Rigby Foundation which supports families following the loss of military personnel who died in the line of duty. To support the Lee Rigby Foundation please click here.